Waterproof footwear and method for its production

ABSTRACT

Footwear, having an upper ( 13 ), which is constructed with an outer material ( 17 ) having an outer-material end region ( 27 ) on the sole side and with a waterproof functional layer ( 19 ) which is arranged on the inner side of the outer material ( 17 ) and has a functional-layer end region ( 23 ) on the sole side; an inner sole ( 15 ) and a joining device ( 25 ) which joins the outer-material end region ( 27 ) to the inner sole ( 15 ), around at least part of the periphery of the upper and allows for a space ( 33; 33   a   ; 33   b ) to be left between the outer-material end region ( 27 ) and the inner sole ( 15 ), in such a manner, that the joining device ( 25 ) can be flowed through by sealing material ( 37; 39 ) that is liquid during application; the functional-layer end region ( 23 ) extending at least into the region of the joining device ( 25 ) and being sealed in a waterproof manner by sealing material ( 37; 39 ) which has passed through the joining device ( 25 ) to the functional layer ( 19 ) during production of the footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to footwear with an upper, which is constructedwith an outer material and a waterproof functional layer arranged on theinner side of the outer material, an outer-material end region on thesole side being joined to an inner sole and a functional-layer endregion on the sole side being sealed by a sealing material leading towaterproofness. An example of footwear of this type is known from theapplicant's EP 0 298 360 B1.

The invention also relates to a method for producing footwear of thistype.

In the case of the footwear according to EP 0 298 360 B1, theouter-material end region ends at a predetermined distance from an innersole serving as an insole, this distance being bridged by a gauze stripthrough which liquid material can flow, one longitudinal side of whichis sewn to the outer-material end region and the other longitudinal sideof which is sewn to the insole. One end of the functional layer on thesole side reaches down as far as the insole and is likewise sewn to thelatter. This known footwear has a moulded-on outsole. When the outsoleis being moulded on, the gauze strip is penetrated by liquid outsolematerial, whereby such outsole material flows against the outer side ofthe functional layer and, after curing, brings about waterproof sealingof the functional layer in the functional-layer end region.

With this so-called gauze-strip solution, which has proven to be verysuccessful, particularly good and reliable waterproofness of breathableshoes has been accomplished.

The sewing of the gauze strip on its two longitudinal sides requires acertain effort, with corresponding consequent costs. What is more, atpoints at which the insole has a small radius of curvature, inparticular in the case of children's shoes, it is not always that easyto sew the gauze strip without any folds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides footwear with which such problems can beovercome, which is inexpensive, can be handled more easily duringproduction, including at points with small radius of curvature, andleads to good waterproofness.

The invention provides footwear according to claim 1 which can beproduced in a way corresponding to claim 19. Embodiments of the footwearaccording to the invention and of the method according to the inventionare provided in the dependent claims.

Footwear according to the invention comprises an upper, which isconstructed with an outer material having an outer-material end regionon the sole side and with a waterproof functional layer which isarranged on the inner side of the outer material and has afunctional-layer end region on the sole side. What is more, suchfootwear has an inner sole and a joining device which joins theouter-material end region to the inner sole, which runs around at leastpart of the periphery of the upper, and which allows for a space to beleft between the outer-material end region and the inner sole in such amanner, that it can be flowed through by sealing material that is liquidduring application. The functional-layer end region extends at leastinto the region of the joining device and is sealed in a waterproofmanner by sealing material which has passed through the joining deviceduring production of the footwear.

In the case of the method according to the invention, footwear of thestated type is produced by the outer-material end region being joined tothe inner sole by means of a joining device running around at least partof the periphery of the upper, in such a way that a space through whichliquid can flow can be established between the outer-material end regionand the inner sole, that the functional-layer end region is designed insuch a way that it extends at least into the region of the joiningdevice, and that, while the outer-material end region and the inner soleare kept at a distance from each other by means of the joining device,which can be flowed through by liquid, a sealing material which is inthe liquid state and leads to waterproofness is applied to the outerside of the joining device in such a way that it flows through theliquid-permeable joining device against the functional-layer end region.

The functional-layer end region is formed in such a way that the sealingmaterial flows against a surface-area region of the functional layer,just a cut edge of the functional layer or both.

In the case of one embodiment of the invention, a lining is arranged onthe inner side of the functional layer, the lining being either aseparate lining layer or a lining layer joined to the functional layerto form a laminate.

In embodiments of the invention, the inner sole is an insole or someother material which closes off the upper at its end on the sole side,for example an intermediate sole or a sealing sheet (gasket).

In one embodiment of the invention, the joining device is formed by ajoining device which is like or similar to a seam.

In one embodiment of the invention, the joining device is formed by anexpandable seam, which is either loosely sewn, so that it can be flowedthrough by liquid sealing material at least in a stretched or extendedstate, or which is sewn with an extensible yarn, so that theouter-material end region on the sole side and the inner sole can bebrought to such a distance from each other during the production of thefootwear by extending the yarn that liquid sealing material can flowthrough the extended seam. The extensible yarn may be elasticallyextensible yarn or non-elastically extensible yarn.

In one embodiment of the invention, the joining device is formed by aStrobel seam, which is either loosely sewn or sewn with extensible yarn.However, other types of seams, for example a quilted seam or a crossseam, which are loosely sewn or sewn with extensible yarn, are alsosuitable.

However, a joining device according to the invention does not have to beformed by a sewn seam. Other types of joining devices are also suitable,as long as they only form a connection between the outer material andthe inner sole through which liquid material can flow. Examples ofjoining devices which are not sewn but are suitable for the inventionare adhesive filaments or adhesive strips, which are adhesively attachedto the outer material and to the inner sole, loops or individual rings,which are joined to the outer material and to the inner sole, or staplelike joining elements, which are joined to the outer material and to theinner sole.

In the case of footwear with a joining device according to theinvention, in the form of a seam, only a single joining seam is requiredin the region of the connection between the outer material and the innersole, said joining seam also being entirely unproblematical even atthose points at which the inner sole has a small radius of curvature.All that is required in comparison with footwear with a conventionalseam, as shown for example in FIG. 1 of the already cited EP 0 298 360B1, is to design the seam in such a way that it can be flowed through byliquid material, i.e. has or allows (for example by extending) adistance between the outer material and the inner sole through whichliquid sealing material can flow against a zone of the functional layerlocated in the region of the joining device and, as a result, the saidzone can be sealed by the sealing material.

In the case of a joining device according to the invention in the formof a sewn seam, this means that the sewing machine used for producingthe seam merely needs to be set in such a way that it creates a seamwhich can be flowed through by liquid material, or that extensible yarnis sewn with a conventional sewing machine st at a conventional settingand this yarn is extended by liquid sealing material being applied, insuch a way that the liquid sealing material can flow against the saidzone of the functional layer through the extended seam.

A seam according to the invention accordingly does not entail anygreater effort than that which is required for a conventional seam, forexample for the prior-art footwear shown in FIG. 1 of the cited EP 0 298360 B1. The labour costs for the production of a seam according to theinvention are consequently no higher than in the case of producing theseam of footwear of the cited prior art.

In the case of one embodiment of the invention, the functional-layer endregion on the sole side is adhesively bonded to the inner sole.

In the case of one embodiment of the invention, a substantiallynonexpandable fixed seam, by means of which the functional-layer endregion on the sole side is joined to the inner sole, but not to theouter-material end region on the sole side, is provided in addition tothe joining device.

In the case of one embodiment of the invention, the fixed seam is formedby a Strobel seam.

In the case of one embodiment of the invention, the outer material endsat a predetermined distance above the inner sole, the distance betweenthe outer material and the inner sole is bridged by a strip of materialimpermeable to sealing material or liquid sole material, the strip ofmaterial is joined to the outer material by means of a top seam and tothe functional layer and/or to the inner sole by means of a bottom seamand at least the top one of the two seams forms a joining device whichcan be flowed through, in the form of a seam which can expand as aresult of loose sewing or sewing with an extensible yarn.

The sealing material may be either sole material, in particular outsolematerial of a moulded-on outsole, or a sealing adhesive which is liquidduring application or can be liquefied after application by beingactivated. In one embodiment of the invention, a reactive hot-meltadhesive which in the fully reacted state leads to particularly high andpermanent waterproofness of the sealed spot is used as the sealingadhesive.

Reactive hot-melt adhesive has, on the one hand, particularly greatcreepability in the liquid state before fully reacting and, on the otherhand, brings about particularly high and permanent waterproofness in thefully reacted state. The reactive hot-melt adhesive can be applied withvery simple means, for example be brushed on, sprayed on or applied inthe form of a strip of adhesive or a bead of adhesive, the reactivehot-melt adhesive being made tacky by heating and, as a result, allowingitself to be attached to the region to be sealed before the fullreacting process and accompanying permanent adhesive bonding to thefunctional layer begins.

The adhesive bonding of the reactive hot-melt adhesive or other sealingmaterial to the functional layer is particularly intimate if thereactive hot-melt adhesive or other sealing material is mechanicallypressed against the functional layer after being applied to the joiningstrip. Preferably suitable for this purpose is a pressing device, forexample in the form of a pressing pad, with a smooth material surfacewhich cannot be wetted by the reactive hot-melt adhesive or othersealing material and therefore cannot bond with the reactive hot-meltadhesive or the other sealing material, for example made of non-porouspolytetrafluoroethylene (also known by the trade name Teflon), siliconeor PE (polyethylene). Preferably used for this purpose is a pressingpad, for example in the form of a rubber pad or air cushion, thepressing surface of which is covered with a film of one of the saidmaterials, for example non-porous polytetrafluoroethylene, or such afilm is arranged between the sole construction provided with thereactive hot-melt adhesive or the other sealing material and thepressing pad before the pressing operation.

Preferably, a reactive hot-melt adhesive which can be cured by means ofmoisture is used, which adhesive is applied to the region to beadhesively bonded and exposed to moisture to make it fully react. In oneembodiment of the invention, a reactive hot-melt adhesive which can bethermally activated and can be cured by means of moisture is used, whichadhesive is thermally activated, applied to the region to be adhesivelybonded and exposed to moisture to make it fully react.

Reactive hot-melt adhesives refer to adhesives which, before theiractivation, comprise relatively short molecular chains with an averagemolecular weight in the range from approximately 3000 to approximately5000 g/mol, are non-adhesive and, possibly by thermal activation, arebrought into a state of reaction in which the relatively short molecularchains are crosslinked to form long molecular chains and thereby cure,doing so predominantly in moist atmosphere. During the reaction orcuring time, they are capable of adhesive bonding. After thecrosslinking curing, they cannot be re-activated. When they fully react,three-dimensional crosslinking of molecular chains occurs. Thethree-dimensional crosslinking leads to particularly high protectionagainst water ingress into the adhesive.

Suitable for example for the purpose according to the invention arepolyurethane reactive hot-melt adhesives, resins, aromatic hydrocarbonresins, aliphatic hydrocarbon resins and condensation resins, forexample in the form of epoxy resin.

Particularly preferred are polyurethane reactive hot-melt adhesives,referred to hereafter as PU reactive hot-melt adhesives.

In one practical embodiment of footwear according to the invention, a PUreactive hot-melt adhesive which is obtainable under the name IPATHERM S14/242 from the company H. P. Fuller of Wells, Austria, is used. Inanother embodiment of the invention, a PU reactive hot-melt adhesivewhich is obtainable under the name Macroplast QR 6202 from the companyHenkel AG, Dusseldorf, Germany, is used.

In one embodiment, in which the joining device according to theinvention is formed by a sewn seam, monofilament sewing yarn is used,which yarn has a comparatively small yarn diameter in comparison withmulti-filament sewing yarn, so that liquid sealing material flowsagainst a greater surface area of the functional-layer zone located inthe region of the joining device than in the case of multi-filamentsewing yarn with a larger yarn diameter. What is more, in the case ofmono-filament sewing yarn, there is no longer the risk that exists inthe case of multi-filament sewing yarn of water being conducted alongthe sewing yarn as a consequence of capillary action.

Sewing machines by means of which a joining seam according to theinvention can be produced by loose sewing are obtainable under the nameStrobel machines from the company Strobel of Munich, Germany.

Monofilament sewing yarn, which is well suited for the production of ajoining device according to the invention, is obtainable under the nameTransfil from the company Amann & Söhne GmbH & Co. KG, D-74357Bönnigheim, Germany. Extensible yarn which is suitable for a joiningdevice according to the invention is a thread which is obtainable fromthe stated company Amann under the name Serafil 40/3 and has anon-destructive extensibility of 25%.

In one embodiment of the invention, a functional layer which is not onlywater-impermeable but also water-vapour-permeable is used. This makes itpossible to produce waterproof shoes which remain breathable in spite ofthe waterproofness.

Suitable materials for the waterproof, water-vapour-permeable functionallayer are, in particular, polyurethane, polypropylene and polyester,including polyether esters and their laminates, as described in thepublications U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,418 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,870.Particularly preferred, however, is expanded microporouspolytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), as described for example in thepublications U.S. Pat. No. 3,953,566 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,390, andexpanded polytetrafluoroethylene which is provided with hydrophilicimpregnating agents and/or hydrophilic layers; see for example thepublication U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,041. A microporous functional layer isunderstood to mean a functional layer of which the average pore sizelies between approximately 0.2 microns and approximately 0.3 microns.

The pore size can be measured with the Coulter Porometer (trade name),which is produced by Coulter Electronics, Inc., Hialeath, Fla., USA.

A functional layer is regarded as “waterproof”, if appropriate includingthe seams provided at the functional layer, if it ensures a wateringress pressure of at least 1×10⁴ Pa. The material of the functionallayer preferably ensures a water ingress pressure of over 1×10⁵ Pa. Thewater ingress pressure is measured by a test method in which distilledwater at 20±2° C. is applied with increasing pressure to a sample of thefunctional layer of 100 cm². The pressure increase of the water is 60±3cm of water column per minute. The water ingress pressure thencorresponds to the pressure at which water appears on the other side ofthe sample for the first time. Details of the procedure are described inISO standard 0811 from the year 1981.

A functional layer is regarded as “water-vapour-permeable” if it has awater-vapour permeability coefficient Ret of less than 150 m²×Pa×W⁻¹.The water-vapour permeability is tested by the Hohenstein skin model.This test method is described in DIN EN 31092 (February/1994) or ISO11092 (1993).

Whether a shoe is waterproof can be tested for example by a centrifugearrangement of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,807.

If ePTFE is used as the functional layer, the reactive hot-melt adhesivecan penetrate into the pores of this functional layer during thecementing operation, which leads to a mechanical anchoring of thereactive hot-melt adhesive in this functional layer. The functionallayer consisting of ePTFE may be provided with a thin polyurethane layeron the side with which it comes into contact with the reactive hot-meltadhesive during the cementing operation. If PU reactive hot-meltadhesive is used in conjunction with such a functional layer, thereoccurs not only the mechanical bond but also a chemical bond between thePU reactive hot-melt adhesive and the PU layer on the functional layer.This leads to a particularly intimate adhesive bonding between thefunctional layer and the reactive hot-melt adhesive, so thatparticularly durable waterproofness is ensured.

The extension of the end of the functional layer on the sole side inrelation to the end of the outer material on the sole side and/or theinner sole can be adapted to the requirements of the respective specificfootwear. For the functioning of the invention, it is merely requiredthat the end of the functional layer on the sole side extends at leastinto the region of the joining device, so that sealing material flowingthrough the joining device can impinge on the functional layer and sealit.

The minimum length which the joining device is to have or the minimumspace which the joining device has to allow for during the applicationof liquid sealing material depends on the viscosity of the liquidsealing material and on the pressure at which the liquid sealingmaterial is applied. The lower the viscosity and the higher thepressure, the smaller this length/space can be. In embodiments of theinvention, the distance between the end of the outer material and theinner sole which the joining device has or allows lies in the range fromapproximately 1/10 mm to approximately 12 mm. In practical embodiments,the distance between the end of the outer material and the inner solelies in the range from 1 mm to 6 mm, in a more narrowly specified casebetween 1 mm and 4 mm. In the case of sealing material which has aparticularly low viscosity in the liquid state and which is sprayed onwith relatively high pressure, a length of the joining unit which liesbelow 2 mm, and is for example in the range from 0.1 mm to 1 mm, may beadequate. Since it is adequate for the flow to take place against arelatively small surface area of the functional layer in order to sealit with the sealing material, in many practical embodiments the lengthwhich the joining device has or the space to be allowed for need not bevery much more than 2 mm. A much greater length/space, for example inthe range from 4 to 5 mm or higher, is only desirable, if at all, ifsealing material which has a comparatively high viscosity in the liquidstate is applied with low pressure.

Leather or textile fabrics are suitable for example as the outermaterial of the upper. The textile fabrics may be, for example, woven orknitted fabrics, non-wovens or felt. These textile fabrics may beproduced from natural fibres, for example from cotton or viscose, fromsynthetic fibres, for example from polyesters, polyamides,polypropylenes or polyolefins, or from blends of at least two suchmaterials.

When a functional layer is used, a lining material is normally arrangedon the inner side. The same materials as are specified above for thetextile outer material of the upper are suitable as lining material,which is often combined with the functional layer to form afunctional-layer laminate. The functional-layer laminate may also havemore than two layers, it being possible for a textile backing to belocated on the side of the functional layer remote from the lininglayer.

The outsole of footwear according to the invention may consist ofwaterproof material, such as for example rubber or plastic, for examplepolyurethane, or of non-waterproof, but breathable material, such as inparticular leather, leather provided with rubber or plastic inlays orrubber or plastic provided with leather inlays. In the case ofnon-waterproof outsole material, the outsole can be made waterproof,while maintaining breathability, by being provided with a waterproof,water-vapour-permeable functional layer at least at points at which thesole construction has not already been made waterproof by othermeasures.

In the case of a moulded-on sole, for example an outsole, being alsoused as sealing material, it may consist for example of polyurethane(PU).

The insole of footwear according to the invention may consist ofviscose, a nonwoven, for example polyester nonwoven, to which fusiblefibres may be added, leather or adhesively bonded leather fibres. Aninsole is obtainable under the name Texon Brandsohle from Texon MockmuhlGmbH of Mockmuhl, Germany. Insoles of such materials arewater-permeable. An insole of such material or other material can bemade waterproof by arranging a layer of waterproof material on one ofits surfaces or inside it. For this purpose, for example, a film withKappenstoff V25 from the company Rhenoflex of Ludwigshafen, Germany, maybe ironed on. If the insole is to be not only waterproof but alsowater-vapour-permeable, it is provided with a waterproof,water-vapour-permeable functional layer, which is preferably constructedwith ePTFE (expanded, microporous polytetrafluoroethylene). Suitable forthis for example is a laminate which contains a waterproof,water-vapour-permeable functional layer and is obtainable under thetrade name TOP DRY from W. L. Gore & Associates GmbH, Putzbrunn,Germany.

A further possibility is to adhesively attach such a laminate (TOP DRY)onto the insole, whereby the upper is already made waterproof before anoutsole is applied.

The invention is now explained in more detail on the basis ofembodiments. In the drawings, in which part of a shoe, for example inthe region of the front foot of the shoe, is depicted as highlyschematized representations which are not true to scale:

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sectional representation of a first embodiment of a shoedesigned according to the invention, before it is stretched onto a last;

FIG. 2 shows a sectional representation as in FIG. 1, but after the shoehas been stretched onto a last;

FIG. 3 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, but after sealingmaterial in the form of an adhesive has been applied;

FIG. 4 shows a representation corresponding to FIG. 2, but after a solehas been moulded on as sealing material;

FIG. 5 shows a sectional representation of a second embodiment of a shoedesigned according to the invention, once a first seam has being createdand before this shoe is stretched onto a last;

FIG. 6 shows a sectional representation as in FIG. 5, but after the shoehas been stretched onto a last for a first time;

FIG. 7 shows a sectional representation as in FIG. 5, but after the shoehas been removed from the last and a second seam has been created;

FIG. 8 shows a sectional representation as in FIG. 6, but after the shoehas being stretched onto a last for a second time;

FIG. 9 shows a sectional representation of a third embodiment of a shoedesigned according to the invention, after it has been stretched onto alast; and

FIG. 10 shows a sectional representation of a fourth embodiment of ashoe designed according to the invention, after it has been stretchedonto a last.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

All the figures show a greatly schematized sectional view, in each caseof part of a not yet completed shoe in a cross section in the forefootregion. For all of the embodiments production phases before the shoe hasbeen stretched onto a last and production phases after the shoe has beenstretched onto a last are shown in the figures. The word shoe is usedhere, although this shoe has not yet been fully completed, since, withthe exception of the representation in FIG. 4, at least the outsole isstill missing. If the inner sole shown in the figures is an insole, theoutsole will be attached to it, either by adhesively attaching ormoulding on an outsole.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the invention, in which a singleseam is involved in the joining device. FIGS. 3 and 4 of theseembodiments show two different variants of this embodiment, in the caseof FIG. 3 the sealing of the functional layer being performed by meansof a sealing material, while in the case of FIG. 4 the sealing isperformed by means of material of a moulded-on sole. FIGS. 5 to 10 showthree further embodiments of the invention, in which two seams are usedin the region of the joining device. In the case of the embodiment ofFIGS. 7 and 8, as in the case of all the previous embodiments, the lowerend of the outer material is joined to an inner sole by means of oneloosely sewn or expandable seam of the two seams. In the case of theembodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, between the two seams there is astrip of material which is fastened by means of one of the two seams tothe lower end of the outer material and by means of the other of the twoseams to the inner sole. In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 9, thebottom seam is fixedly sewn and the top seam is loosely sewn or sewn insuch a way that it can expand. In the case of the embodiment of FIG. 10,both seams are loosely or sewn in such a way that they can expand.

FIGS. 1 to 4 show sectional views of a shoe 11 according to a firstembodiment of the invention with an upper 13 and an inner sole 15, whichis for example an insole 15. The upper 13 comprises an outer material17, a waterproof functional layer 19 and a textile layer 21, which is,for example, a lining textile. The functional layer 19 is locatedbetween the outer material 17 and the textile layer 21. In theembodiment shown in the figures, the functional layer 19 and the textilelayer 21 are joined to each other at an end 23 of the functional layeron the sole side by means of a stretch seam 24. In another embodiment(not shown) of such a shoe 11, the functional layer 19 and the textilelayer 21 form parts of a functional-layer laminate, it being possible todispense with the stretch seam 24. In the embodiment represented, thejoining device according to the invention is formed by a loosely sewnStrobel seam 25, which joins an end 27 of the outer material on the soleside to the insole 15. In the embodiment represented, the end 27 of theouter material on the sole side runs perpendicularly in relation to theinsole 15, while the end 23 of the functional layer on the sole side anda lower end 29 of the textile layer on the sole side are angled away insuch a way that they extend parallel to the insole 15. However, this isnot a precondition for the invention. In another embodiment (notrepresented), the end 29 of the textile layer on the sole side and theend 23 of the functional layer extend perpendicularly in relation to theinsole 15.

Shown in FIG. 1 is a production phase before the upper 13, closed off bythe insole 15, is stretched over a last 31. FIG. 2 shows a productionphase after the upper 13 has been stretched over the last 31. Acomparison of the two FIGS. 1 and 2 shows that the loosely sewn Strobelseam 23 is so compliant that, when the upper 13 is stretched over thelast 31, a distance or gap 33 can be produced between the end 27 of theouter material on the sole side and the insole 15. As a comparison ofthe two FIGS. 1 and 2 also shows, the lower ends 23 and 29 of thefunctional layer 19 and textile layer 21 are designed in such a way thatthey allow themselves to be forced down onto the insole 15 when theupper 13 is stretched over the last 31, so that a functional-layer freezone 35 is produced in the region of the gap 33 on the outer side of thefunctional layer 19, in which liquid sealing material 37 can flowagainst the functional layer 19 through the gap 33, which leads tosealing of the functional layer 19 in the functional-layer free zone 35.

Shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 are production phases of this embodiment whichfollow on from the production phase shown in FIG. 2 and differ from thelatter in that sealing material has been applied in the region of thefunctional-layer free zone 35.

FIG. 3 shows a variation of this embodiment in which sealing material inthe form of liquid plastic or adhesive 37 has been applied in the regionof the Strobel seam 25, which has been extended and consequently allowsliquid to pass through it, with such aviscosity and at such a pressurethat the adhesive 37 can flow against the functional-layer free zone 35and seal it. In one embodiment of the invention, the adhesive 37 isformed by a reactive hot-melt adhesive which leads to waterproofness inthe fully reacted state.

The sealing material, applied only in the region of the gap 33 in thecase of FIG. 3, may also be a sheet-like sealing material, which is cutout in strip form from a sheet-like adhesive material, and which isplaced from the outside onto the gap 33 and brought into a liquid andtacky state by activation energy, for example thermal energy. For betterwetting of the functional-layer free zone 35 with the liquefiedadhesive, a pressing device, which preferably consists of or is coatedwith a material which cannot be wetted by the liquid adhesive, may beused in the way already mentioned, in order to ensure that the liquefiedadhesive 37 comes into adequately intimate contact with the functionallayer 19.

FIG. 4 shows a variation of this embodiment in which the sealingmaterial is formed by sole cement of a moulded-on sole 39, the sole 39being a moulded-on outsole or a moulded-on sole which does not itselfserve as an outsole but serves as a carrier for an outsole, which isfastened to the sole 39, for example by cementing on or sewing on. Inthis case, the sole 39 is formed like a dish and is moulded on with sucha high side wall 41 that both the Strobel seam 25 and thefunctional-layer free zone 35 are covered by sole material. The solematerial, which is liquid when it is moulded on, is moulded on at suchpressure that the liquid sole material flows against at least part ofthe functional-layer free zone 35 and the latter is consequently sealedin a waterproof manner.

In order to obtain sealing of the functional layer 19 in the end region23 on the sole side, it is neither necessary for the functional-layerfree zone 35 to extend over the entire gap 33 nor necessary for the end23 of the functional layer on the sole side to extend beyond the gap 33.To achieve adequate sealing of the functional layer 19, it is adequatefor the end 23 of the functional layer to extend into the gap 33. It isalready adequate if the lower end 23 of the functional layer extendsinto the gap 33 only so far that a cut edge of the lower end 23 of thefunctional layer is located within the gap 33, so that sealing materialcan flow against and around this cut edge.

A second embodiment of the invention is now considered on the basis ofFIGS. 5 to 8. To the extent that components coincide with the embodimentshown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the same reference numerals are used andreference can be made to the previous explanations in connection withthe first embodiment.

The second embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 8 differs from the firstembodiment essentially in that two seams are used in the transitionalregion between the upper 13 and the inner sole 15, that is a fixed seam26, by means of which the ends of the functional layer 19 and of thetextile layer 21 on the sole side are joined to the border of the innersole 15, which is for example an insole. The fixed seam 26 is notexpandable, or only insignificantly. It is, for example, a Strobel seam.

FIG. 5 shows a production phase after the fixed seam 26 has been formed.An end region 43 of the outer material 17 on the sole side has beenswung away from the functional layer 19 and the inner sole 15, to gainaccess for sewing the fixed seam 26.

FIG. 6 shows a representation in which the shoe completed up to theproduction stage shown has been stretched onto a last 31 or lasted. Acomparison of FIGS. 5 and 6 shows that the fixed seam 26 has yieldedonly insignificantly. The representation of FIG. 6 is merely of ademonstrative nature. In this production stage of the shoe, the last 31itself is not yet required. Rather, directly following the productionstage shown in FIG. 5, according to FIG. 7, the end region 43 of theouter material 17 on the sole side can be swung down again, so that itbears against the outer side of the functional layer 19. After that, inthe same way as in the case of the first embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 4, aloose seam is created in the form of a loosely sewn and/or expandableStrobel seam 25, by means of which the end of the outer material 17 onthe sole side is sewn to the functional layer 19 and the inner sole 15.In the production stage reached in this way, the shoe according to FIG.8 is stretched onto a last 31, causing expansion of the Strobel seam 25,but not of the fixed seam 26. In just the same way as already explainedin connection with FIG. 2 for the first embodiment, this creates a gap33 between the lower end of the outer material 17 and the inner sole 15,which exposes a functional-layer free zone 35. The further steps arethen explained in just the same way as in connection with FIGS. 3 and 4.Either a sealing material 37 is applied to the functional-layer freezone 35 through the gap 33 or, when a sole is moulded on, liquid solematerial penetrates through the gap 33 as far as the functional-layerfree zone 35, so that the functional layer is sealed there.

Footwear exists in which the lower end of the outer material 17 on thesole side ends at a distance above the inner sole and this distance isbridged by a strip of impermeable material. In FIGS. 9 and 10, twoembodiments with a joining device according to the invention are shownfor such footwear.

FIG. 9 shows such an embodiment with a strip of material 45, the upperend of which is sewn by means of a loose seam 25 to the lower end of theouter material 17 on the sole side and the lower end of which is sewn bymeans of a fixed seam 26 to the lower end of the functional layer 19 onthe sole side, the textile layer 21 and to the border of the inner sole15. The loose seam 25 is again a seam, in the case of the embodimentrepresented a Strobel seam, which is loosely sewn and/or sewn withextensible yarn, so that it yields to tensile loading. The fixed seam 26is again a seam, which does not yield, or only insignificantly, undertensile loading, and is a Strobel seam in the case of this representedembodiment.

FIG. 9 shows a production stage after both seams 25 and 26 have beenproduced and the shoe in the production stage then reached has beenstretched onto a last 31. The fixed seam 26 essentially does not yield,while the loose seam 25 yields on account of the tensile force exertedby the lasting, to the extent that there is a gap 33 created between thelower end of the outer material 17 and the upper end of the strip ofmaterial 45, in the region of which gap a functional-layer free zone 35is created. In the same way as explained in connection with FIGS. 3 and4, sealing material can then pass through the gap 33 to thefunctional-layer free zone 35, in order to seal the latter, it againbeing possible for this to be pure sealing material or sole materialacting in a sealing manner.

FIG. 10 shows a fourth embodiment, which differs very much from theembodiment shown in FIG. 5 and differs from the embodiment shown in FIG.9 only in that not only the seam 25 a joined to the upper border of thestrip of material 45 but also the seam 25 b joined to the lower borderof the strip of material 45 is formed as a loose seam, in that it isloosely sewn and/or sewn with extensible yarn. After the lasting of theshoe in the production stage shown, the two seams 25 a and 25 b expand,so that two gaps 33 a and 33 b are created, in the regions of whichthere are two functional-layer free zones 35 a and 35 b formed, whichcan be sealed by sealing material being applied or by liquid solematerial penetrating, as already explained in connection with FIGS. 3and 4.

In one embodiment of the invention, the joining device, in theembodiments represented in the figures the Strobel seam 25 or theStrobel seams 25, 25 a, 25 b, 26, runs around the entire lower peripheryof the upper. In other embodiments of the invention, the joining deviceruns only around part of the periphery of the upper, while a differenttechnology is used for the remaining part of the lower periphery of theupper. For example, the joining device according to the invention isprovided only at those points of the periphery of the upper at which theperiphery of the upper has a particularly small radius of curvature, asis the case in particular in the region of the toes and heels of shoes,most particularly in the case of children's shoes. As an example ofanother technology which can be used in the remaining region of theperiphery of the upper, bootie technology may be mentioned. A bootie isthe name given to a sock-like insert which includes a waterproof andwater-vapour-permeable functional layer and is arranged as a lining onthe inner side of the upper and of the sole construction. When bootietechnology is applied in the case of a shoe in which a joining deviceaccording to the invention is used in a subregion of the periphery ofthe upper, only the remaining region of the periphery of the upper isprovided with a bootie-like formation.

In the embodiments represented in the figures, the Strobel seam 25 orthe Strobel seams 25 a, 25 b are made flow-through by the said seam orseams being loosely sewn. As already mentioned, in other embodiments ofthe invention flowing through of the seam or seams is accomplished bythe said seam or seams being sewn with extensible yarn. The same effectsare obtained when using, for example, a lockstitch seam or zigzag seamsewn loosely or with extensible yarn.

1. Footwear, comprising: an upper, which is constructed with an outermaterial having an outer-material end region on the sole side and with awaterproof functional layer which is arranged on the inner side of theouter material and has a functional-layer end region on the sole side;an inner sole; and a joining device which joins the outer-material endregion to the inner sole, around at least part of the periphery of theupper and allows for a space to be left between the outer-material endregion and the inner sole, in such a manner, that the joining device canbe flowed through by sealing material that is liquid during application;the functional-layer end region extending at least into the region ofthe joining device and being sealed in a waterproof manner by sealingmaterial which has passed through the joining device to the functionallayer during production of the footwear.
 2. Footwear according to claim1, in which the joining device runs around the entire periphery of theupper.
 3. Footwear according to claim 1, in which the joining deviceruns around only part of the periphery of the upper.
 4. Footwearaccording to claim 1, with a joining device which is like or similar toa seam.
 5. Footwear according to claim 1, in which the joining device isformed by an expandable seam.
 6. Footwear according to claim 5, in whichthe joining device is formed by a loosely sewn seam.
 7. Footwearaccording to claim 5, in which the joining device is formed by a seamsewn with extensible yarn.
 8. Footwear according to claim 5, in whichthe seam is formed by a Strobel seam, a quilted seam or a cross seam. 9.Footwear according to claim 1, with a moulded-on sealing layer ofsealing material which is liquid when it is moulded on and haspenetrated through the joining device.
 10. Footwear according to claim9, with a moulded-on outsole, the sealing material being formed byoutsole material which is liquid when it is moulded on.
 11. Footwearaccording to claim 1, in which the sealing material is formed byplastic.
 12. Footwear according to claim 1, in which the sealingmaterial is formed by adhesive.
 13. Footwear according to claim 12, inwhich the sealing material is formed by reactive hot-melt adhesive whichis applied to the joining device and leads to waterproofness in thefully reacted state.
 14. Footwear according to claim 1, with awaterproof and water-vapour-permeable functional layers.
 15. Footwearaccording to claim 1, in which the functional-layer end region on thesole side is adhesively bonded to the inner sole.
 16. Footwear accordingto claim 1, in which a substantially non-expandable fixed seam, by meansof which the functional-layer end region on the sole side is joined tothe inner sole (15), but not to the outer-material end region on thesole side, is provided in addition to the joining device.
 17. Footwearaccording to claim 16, in which the fixed seam is formed by a Strobelseam.
 18. Footwear according to claim 1, in which the outer materialends at a predetermined distance above the inner sole, the distancebetween the outer material and the inner sole is bridged by a strip ofmaterial impermeable to sealing material or liquid sole material, thestrip of material is joined to the outer material by means of a top seamand to the functional layer and/or to the inner sole by means of abottom seam and at least the top one of the two seams forms a joiningdevice, which can be flowed through, and which is in the form of a seamwhich can expand as a result of loose sewing or sewing with anextensible yarn.
 19. Method for producing footwear with an upper whichis constructed with an outer material having an outer-material endregion on the sole side and with a waterproof functional layer which isarranged on the inner side of the outer material and has afunctional-layer end region on the sole side, and with an inner sole,comprising the steps of: a) the outer-material end region is joined tothe inner sole by means of a joining device running around at least partof the periphery of the upper, in such a way that a space through whichliquid can flow can be established between the outer-material end regionand the inner sole, b) the functional-layer end region is designed insuch a way that it extends at least into the region of the joiningdevice; c) while the outer-material end region and the inner sole arekept at a distance from each other by means of the joining device, asealing material which is in the liquid state and leads towaterproofness is applied to the outer side of the joining device insuch a way that it flows through the liquid-permeable joining deviceagainst the functional-layer end region.
 20. Method according to claim19, in which the joining device is produced in such a way that it runsaround the entire periphery of the upper.
 21. Method according to claim19, in which the joining device is produced in such a way that it runsaround only part of the periphery of the upper.
 22. Method according toclaim 19, in which the joining device is formed as a joining devicewhich is like or similar to a seam.
 23. Method according to claim 19, inwhich the joining device is formed by an expandable seam.
 24. Methodaccording to claim 23, in which the joining device is formed by aloosely sewn seam.
 25. Method according to claim 23, in which thejoining device is formed by a seam sewn with extensible yarn.
 26. Methodaccording to claim 23, in which the seam is formed by a Strobel seam, aquilted seam, a cross seam or a zig-zag seam.
 27. Method according toclaim 19, in which a sealing layer to be moulded on, consisting of asealing material which is liquid when it is moulded on and can penetratethrough the joining device is formed as the sealing material.
 28. Methodaccording to claim 19, for producing footwear with a moulded-on sole, inwhich the sealing material is formed by sole material which is liquidwhen it is moulded on and penetrates through the joining device. 29.Method according to claim 28, for producing footwear with a moulded-onoutsole, in which the sealing material is formed by outsole materialwhich is liquid when it is moulded on.
 30. Method according to claim 19,in which a plastic is used as the sealing material.
 31. Method accordingto claim 19, in which an adhesive is used as the sealing material. 32.Method according to claim 19, in which the functional-layer end regionon the sole side is adhesively bonded to the inner sole.
 33. Methodaccording to claim 19, in which a substantially nonexpandable fixedseam, by means of which the functional-layer end region on the sole sideis joined to the inner sole, but not to the outer-material end region onthe sole side, is created in addition to the joining device.
 34. Methodaccording to claim 19, in which the outer material is made to end at apredetermined distance above the inner sole, the distance between theouter material and the inner sole is bridged by a strip of materialimpermeable to sealing material or liquid sole material, the strip ofmaterial is joined to the outer material by means of a top seam and tothe functional layer and/or to the inner sole by means of a bottom seamand at least the top one of the two seams is formed by a joining device,which can be flowed through and which is in the form of a seam which canexpand as a result of loose sewing or sewing with an extensible yarn.